About Hungary

Key facts HungaryHungary is anything but a tedious culture.

These so-called Magyars have a fondness for a spicy cuisine infused with paprika, traditions with cowboy acrobatics on horsebacks and enchanting folk songs. They put their surname first and have a mysterious language. Hungarians remain completely different from all of their neighbours.

Hungary is romantic, elegant and magical all the way from Budapest, to the sandy beaches of Lake Balaton and the Kiskunság National Park.

 

Weather and Climate
Best time to visit Hungary is from May to October.

Hungary has a continental climate with cold winters and damp hot summers. The temperature fluctuates between about -30°C (-22°F) in winter and 38°C (100°F) in summer. Delimitation of the Carpathian basin makes Hungary affected by drought. Many believe, that the country over the past decades has become increasingly dryer, and droughts have become relatively common. The general perception is, that it is the effect of global warming, which is already visible. Even the snowy winters are more unusual than before.

The average temperature in Budapest in January is -1°C (30°F) and in July 21°C (70°F).

The average precipitation for Hungary, of which the most falls during the summer months, is approximately 560 mm. (22 in.)

 

Geography
The majority of Hungary’s surface is plains; 84% of the land is lower than 200 metres (656 ft.) above sea level and only 2% is higher than 400 metres (1.312 ft.). The Carpathian Basin is lowland, that consist of the Hungarian plains Alföld in South-east and Kisalföld in North-west.

Only Northern Hungary is mountainous. The highest point is Kékes with 1.014 metres (3.327 ft.) in the Mátra Mountains northeast of Budapest.

The mighty rivers Danube and Tisza flows through Hungary. Danube is navigable for about 420 km. (260 miles) and Tisza is navigable for about 445 km. (277 miles) within the country. Danube also flows through Austria, Croatia, Germany, Romania, Serbia and Slovakia, which provides ample opportunity to visit these countries on relaxing and tranquil river cruise boats.

 

5 things Hungary is known for, outside Hungary

  • Joseph Pulitzer (Journalist & Publisher, 1847-1911)
  • Harry Houdini (Illusionist, 1874-1926)
  • Goulash (Stew, one of the national dishes)
  • Rubik’s Cube (Invented in 1974 by Ernő Rubik)
  • Spas (Thermal baths, around 1.500 nationwide)

Learn more